Showing posts with label Christmas miracle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas miracle. Show all posts

Monday, December 26, 2011

Collecting: A Christmas Care Package from Santa's Village

I'm cutting it close, but there is still time for one last Christmas post before the day is done!  I will start it by wishing that all those of you who are so inclined had a wonderful day and that all of your Christmas wishes came true.

I used to believe in karma.  It seemed only fair and decent that some cosmic force meted out a universal justice; good was ultimately rewarded with good and bad with bad.  For most, it must be comforting to know that eventually the good and positive energy they put out will earn them a good and positive outcome.  For people like me, the idea of karma always filled me with dread.  What karmic justice would be issued for my cursing the name of every last driver in the Target parking lot?  What would karma think of my regular practice of getting in the express lane with one more item than is allowed - just to test the system?  And I don't even have to ask to know that karma was not smiling on me for the things I was thinking about Santa after our recent run in as detailed in a previous post.  Karmically speaking, I'm a jerk.  So, I always prepare myself for the worst.  Yes, I used to believe in karma - until the mail arrived on Friday.


The postman's delivery let me know immediately that karma is a ruse.  What other explanation could there be for a gift so wonderful and so wonderfully unexpected.  My usual delivery of bills, jury summons, and more bills always indicated that karma was in full force.  Little did I know that my brief mention of Santa's Village in a previous blog post would result in a surprise-package filled with Santa's Village collectibles and assorted Christmas wonders. 

An unused Santa's Village notepad

Illustration from the notepad
Illustration from the notepad


Illustration from the notepad

















































The Santa's Village Box would have been more than enough, but there was more to be found inside!

Inside the box was a cornucopia of Christmas cheer!
Vintage greeting cards, garland, ornaments, Christmas light bulbs and even cowgirl & indian hankies

And still there was more!
Christmas stamps & labels, stickers, buttons, toys and findings

Now this is how I say "Christmas!"

And then there were the SoniCard Musical Greetings - musical postcards!
The record player accommodated the whole postcard so we could listen to "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night."

Not Christmas related but equal in its ability to inspire yuletide jolliness is this awesome square dancing bumper sticker.
If this is Santa's apology, I accept! 

If there is one life lesson that I have learned from this amazing box, it is that our actions have no consequences.  Either that, or karma took Christmas off.  To be perfectly honest, I am truly concerned that the latter is more likely to be true and now I fear that the karmic retribution will be rather intense.

All kidding aside, I am truly grateful to the senders of this wonderful Christmas gift.  The older I get, the harder it gets to fully embrace the spirit of the season and this really made my wacky tacky Christmas very merry!  Furthermore, all of this wacky tacky goodness has easily made up for any residual disappointment I harbored for never actually making it to Santa's Village.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!


Holiday Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Friday, December 23, 2011

Holiday Miracle: Christmastime is Here Again!


Our most recent Christmas-related post was perhaps a little less than glory-filled.  Only the likes of O. Henry could kindle yuletide inspiration with a wicked Santa Claus and a defunct theme park.  To redeem myself and the holiday season, here is a Christmas miracle that is sure to warm even the coldest cockles of your heart.  The Snoopy House LIVES!


You might have read our very sad post about the demise of the Snoopy House.  It appeared that one local, Southern California family's 44 year Christmas card to the world was going the way of Santa's Village!  I was losing hope that a George Bailey-style miracle would happen.  Where was our Clarence?


Wonderfully, the City of Costa Mesa, CA stepped in and decided to host the amazing Peanuts Gang display so the community wouldn't lose one of its fondest and finest holiday traditions.  Once again, the Peanuts are skating, dancing, playing and fighting over presents.  Once again lights blaze and bells ring.  Surely, after this Christmas miracle, an angel (maybe two) got his wings.

Snoopy referees a serious hockey game.

Details of Santa's workshop and Mrs. Santa's living room.

One of my favorite parts is the Christmas pageant where
the scenes change when the barn doors open and close.


Reindeer in training

Mrs. Santa says, "God bless us, every one."

If you happen to be anywhere near Costa Mesa, I highly recommend that you stop to check out this wacky tacky winter wonderland.  It is a testament to one family's love for their community and ultimately, the community's opportunity to show its gratitude and love for that family.  Unfortunately, I am not sure of the outcome of the Snoopy House or the financial situation of its owners.  For at least one more year, however, the Snoopy House is alive and well and proves that Christmastime IS here!

Costa Mesa shows it's holiday spirit!


Friends enjoying the local Christmas tradition 


The Snoopy House Christmas Display 
Costa Mesa City Hall

77 Fair Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA

Hours: Nightly (shuts down at 10pm)

The doctor is out; the psycho is in.

Cheers & Merry Christmas!

Mr. Tiny